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Diet Sodas May Up Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

by Carolyn Buchanan on February 14, 2013

Carolyn Buchanan

About the Author

B.C. (before children), Carolyn was trained as a journalist — a generalist journalist. Now as a parent, she experiences news differently. What was once an item of passing interest, i.e. "Toy Train Runs on Lead Paint" or "Midnight Release Planned for Latest Power Rangers Movie" now consumes her life. Still she trains her eye to find the family relevance in everything new, and that's what she endeavors to share with you here. As a parent, and a writer for What to Expect, she will be your family-news filter (with a personal twist).

About the Blog

WhatToExpect.com supports Word of Mom as a place to share stories and highlight the many perspectives and experiences of pregnancy and parenting. However, the opinions expressed in this section are those of individual writers and do not reflect the views of Heidi Murkoff of the What to Expect brand.

It's been well established that sugary sodas are linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. But what about "diet" or "light" sweetened soft drinks? Is there a correlation between the sugar-free variety of sodas and diabetes? A new French study says, "Oui!" — and it's one to be wary of.

Their results showed that women who drink "light" or "diet" sweetened soft drinks are at greater risk of contracting diabetes than those who drink an equal quantity of "non light" or "non diet" drinks. The risk of developing the condition is 15 percent greater for those who consume half a liter per week and 59 percent greater for those who consume 1.5 liters per week.

Researchers suggest that "light" or "diet" drinks taste sweeter than ordinary soda, and thus create a greater craving for sugar in general. Furthermore, they say, aspartame, one of the main artificial sweeteners used in diet drinks, causes an increase in glycemia and consequently a rise in the insulin level in comparison to that produced by sucrose, which sweetens regular sodas.

So, the answer to, "Should I kick the diet soda habit?" is a resounding "yes." When the urge to reach for something thirst-quenching strikes, turn instead to water, flavored water, skim milk, unsweetened tea or coffee, or 100 percent fruit juice over diet soda. The CDC has a list of suggestions on its Web page, Rethink Your Drink!

Do you have a favorite low calorie beverage that is both satifsying and refreshing? Please share!